The Ohio State Buckeyes have already received two verbal commitments from a pair of big time in-state running backs in the 2012 class. While the 2012 crop looks to be a strong one in the Buckeye State, there are already quite a few outstanding running backs in the 2013 class as well. Right near the top of that list is Warren Howland product Deveon Smith. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound prospect is already on the radar of numerous college programs.

Smith had a monster sophomore season for Howland, rushing for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to being named an all-district selection.

"It went great," Smith said of his sophomore season. "I had fun playing with all of my teammates. It was a good year. I wish I could have done a little bit better in the playoffs, I got hurt a little bit but I plan on coming back even stronger my junior year."

Smith is the younger brother of former Wisconsin and Memphis running back Lance Smith who holds many of Howland's rushing records. When it comes to those records, there is definitely a bit of a sibling rivalry.

"I'm trying to beat all of his records," Smith said. "He always talks about how I didn't break his records this year but I tell him that I will next year and we get into arguments about it."

Smith credits part of his success to his offensive line which is anchored by fellow division I recruit Anthony Stanko.

"He's huge," said Smith of his teammate. "He's like 6-foot-6, 305-pounds or something like that. It's like a big old billboard in front of me."

This summer, Smith will be making the rounds at some college camps and while he hasn't set his schedule yet, there are two schools that he is hoping to make it to in June.

"I might go to the Penn State camp this year," he explained. "I went to the Ohio State camp last year and I might go to Ohio State again this year, it was a lot of fun (last year)."

Smith is hoping to make a big impact on the camp circuit this summer so he's putting in the work now to make that a reality.

"I'm trying to improve on my speed, and also my agility and flexibility," he said.